What is that one name that crosses your mind when you think of golf? For Billy Horschel, it’s his peer and best friend, Rory McIlroy. “Rory and I are pretty good friends,” Horschel previously told Golf.com. While their friendship is well-known in the golf community, Horschel’s deep admiration for McIlroy deserves some extra attention.

The eight-time PGA Tour winner recently appeared on the Five Clubs podcast, where he reflected on his friendship with Rory McIlroy. Horschel revealed that he always dreamt of “playing against the best players in the world and coming out victorious.”

When examining his remarkable career, it is evident that the former FedEx Champion has accomplished a great deal. However, it is McIlroy’s legacy that truly distinguishes him in terms of greatness. Whether it’s winning a historic event at Wentworth or competing at Legends Hall of Famers, nothing has thrilled Horschel more than playing against McIlroy.

He emphasized that winning against Rory McIlroy, whom he considers “the greatest player in our generation,” was one of the most significant moments of his career.

The two have competed in several championships, the most recent one being the BMW PGA Championship, where the American defeated McIlroy in a thrilling three-man playoff at Wentworth. Following his victory, Horschel said, “I am thrilled, excited for the way I played.” But even in his moment of triumph, he couldn’t help but praise his friend, adding, “I am a little disappointed. Rory is a really good friend of mine. He is a generational talent, and he has been so close this year.”

For Horschel, the chance to compete against McIlroy, not just as a rival but as a friend, made it one of the most memorable moments in his career.

But, while the bond and respect between Horschel and McIlroy is admirable, the real twist comes when Horschel names McIlroy the greatest player, despite Scottie Scheffler currently holding the World No. 1 spot. Though it’s fair to say that Horschel’s admiration for McIlroy is personal, it’s also hard to ignore how Horschel has even previously put Scheffler’s success under scrutiny.

Billy Horschel seems to have internal beef with the World No. 1

Though Horschel never said it outright, his subtle digs at Scottie Scheffler haven’t gone unnoticed. During his appearance on the Fairways of Life podcast, when asked whether Scheffler could replicate his number of wins next year, Horschel sidestepped a direct answer. Instead, he brought Tiger Woods into the conversation, saying, “I think it’s very difficult. It’s nothing against Scottie—he’s super talented—but the level of talent and dedication Tiger had for 15, 20-plus years is something very different.”

While there is a faction that hails Scheffler as someone who could take up the mantle of Tiger Woods, Horschel’s subtle critiques clearly put him on the other side of the faction. As far as McIlroy’s legacy is concerned, there is some truth to it. Just a week ago, Golf Digest posted surprising stats on Instagram that showcased the “First 100 PGA Tour starts as a pro,” and as a twist in the tale, McIlroy surpassed World No. 1 in that list. As we go on considering his overall performance, McIlroy indeed has a legacy worth celebrating with four major wins, 20 top 3 finishes, 46 top 10s, and 66 top 25s.

Known for his blunt honesty, Horschel’s remarks do leave room for interpretation. Is he intentionally downplaying Scheffler’s success, or is it just a product of his candid nature? One thing is for sure, Horschel’s preferences are clear, and it seems Scheffler doesn’t rank high in his personal list of favorites. Do you think Horschel’s comments were intentional? Let us know in the comments.